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The report examines the top-down evolution of China's green banking system, highlighting the role of the 'Big Four' state-owned banks. It finds that green loans generally exhibit lower non-performing loan (NPL) ratios than traditional portfolios, though significant barriers such as insufficient risk modeling and weak financial incentives persist. The ICBC case study illustrates the integration of green governance and the use of offshore green bonds, while noting that green finance still represents a small fraction of the bank's total balance sheet compared to its continued fossil fuel financing.

The authors contend that the EU suffers from diffuse accountability and a 'double deadlock' caused by a reliance on closed-door Franco-German agreements. They argue that Germany's role as a 'benevolent hegemon' is problematic because Berlin seeks to minimize costs and maximize control over debtor states while remaining reluctant to fully embrace its power. The text suggests that the only way to break this impasse is through 'transnational politics'—the creation of shifting alliances across national borders and the engagement of civil society—to replace the current 'constructive ambiguity' of European diplomacy.

The statement argues that the COVID-19 pandemic has created an urgent need for governments to focus all resources on public health, specifically the procurement of medical supplies, vaccines, and medicines. It calls for the immediate suspension of trade and investment negotiations at the WTO, bilateral, and regional levels, asserting that such activities divert critical resources and personnel. The authors highlight that intellectual property rules under the WTO's TRIPS agreement and free trade agreements may obstruct the affordability and accessibility of life-saving supplies. The document demands the removal of all trade barriers and unilateral sanctions that hinder medical procurement and urges a fundamental rethink of trade rules that encourage monopolies and limit healthcare access.

Friends of the Earth International and a broad coalition of global endorsers call for an immediate cessation of trade and investment treaty negotiations. They argue that governments, particularly in developing and least developed countries, lack the resources to engage in these negotiations while managing the COVID-19 health crisis. The statement demands that trade negotiators focus exclusively on removing obstacles, such as intellectual property rules and unilateral sanctions, that hinder access to affordable vaccines, medicines, and diagnostics.

The author contends that the EU's current trade policy is characterized by an 'inertia' that prioritizes unconditional liberalization over environmental and social goals. While the EU aims for carbon neutrality via the Green Deal, its trade framework continues to promote 'new generation' bilateral agreements that limit state sovereignty through investor-state dispute settlements and 'living agreements' that bypass democratic control. The text argues that the EU remains a net importer of carbon, with one-third of its footprint stemming from imports, and calls for a shift toward trade regulation that conditions market access on the achievement of environmental and social objectives.

The Finnish Greens have seen steady growth in support, contributing to a political environment where traditional parties no longer hold a majority. Finnish politics has shifted from an economic left-right divide toward a 'GAL-TAN' axis (Green, Alternative, and Libertarian versus Traditionalist, Authoritarian, and Nationalist), with the Greens advocating for climate action and the right-wing populist Finns Party opposing it. This polarisation makes forming coalition governments more difficult, requiring the inclusion of younger parties or broad-based cooperation. The author argues that the Greens must successfully implement large-scale Green New Deal policies to counter the rise of the populist right and prevent the adoption of 'watered-down solutions'.

Japan's green bond market saw record growth in 2019, with issuance increasing by 70% over 2018 to JPY786.7bn. Financial corporates dominate the market, and proceeds are primarily allocated to buildings, energy, and transport. The market is characterized by a high rate of external reviews, predominantly Second Party Opinions from Sustainalytics. The Ministry of the Environment (MOEJ) supports the market through guidelines, information platforms, and a financial subsidy programme for external review costs.

The document examines the erosion of the EU's longstanding consensus on a two-state solution for the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. It highlights how internal divisions—exemplified by the opposing positions of Sweden and Hungary, and the alignment of the Visegrád Four with the Israeli government—undermine the EU's capacity for a concerted foreign policy. Despite possessing a wide array of policy tools to pressure both the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority, the authors argue that the EU's risk-averse nature and complex structure make significant policy shifts unlikely, leaving the bloc 'stuck in the logic of Oslo'.

The European Commission's European Green Deal Investment Plan (EGDIP) aims to mobilise over 1 trillion EUR over 10 years to support the EU's transition to climate neutrality. A central part of this is the Just Transition Mechanism (JTM), which intends to mobilise at least 100 billion EUR between 2021 and 2027 to mitigate the social and economic impacts on carbon-intensive sectors. The JTM includes the Just Transition Fund (JTF), which has a projected financing capacity of 30-50 billion EUR and explicitly excludes fossil fuel infrastructure. While the author views these as positive steps, they argue that the JTM is currently insufficient to meet all needs and that funding should be strictly limited to countries supporting the 2050 climate neutrality target.

The report details how the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) integrates gender equality into climate change obligations through General Recommendations, joint statements, and State reporting. It highlights the Committee's focus on disaster risk reduction, the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and girls, and the necessity of women's active participation in climate policy. The document analyzes CEDAW's Concluding Observations from 2008 to 2019, noting a high volume of recommendations for Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries, primarily focusing on adaptation and procedural rights, while also issuing specific mitigation demands regarding fossil fuel extraction and fracking.

The Islamic Finance Toolkit provides a comprehensive overview of Shariah-compliant financial systems, detailing key contracts, the global industry landscape, and specific strategies for integrating Islamic finance into African economies. It identifies significant underdevelopment in Africa—where the region holds only 1% of global Islamic banking assets despite housing 27% of the world's Muslim population—and offers a framework of eleven recommendations covering legal, tax, and regulatory reforms to unlock the potential of Sukuk, Takaful, and Islamic fintech.

The report evaluates fixed, volumetric, and capacity-based distribution network tariffs against the EU's Electricity Regulation. It argues that high fixed charges and non-dynamic contracted capacity charges may hinder the transition to a decentralised energy system by discouraging flexibility and demand response. The author suggests that volumetric time-of-use charges and critical peak capacity charges are most likely to meet the CEP's requirements for cost-reflectivity and the fostering of innovation and flexibility.

The document argues that climate action must be rights-based to be effective, urging COP-25 to ensure that Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Article 6 mechanisms include social and environmental safeguards. It specifically calls for the ratification of the Escazú Agreement, the establishment of a financial mechanism for loss and damage under the Warsaw International Mechanism, and the integration of gender-responsive approaches in the Lima Work Programme. The briefing also emphasizes the need for independent grievance mechanisms in the Sustainable Development Mechanism to remedy harms to local communities and indigenous peoples.

The document advocates for enhancing public participation in climate policies by leveraging international legal instruments like the Aarhus Convention and the Escazú Agreement. It identifies specific entry points at COP-25—including Article 6 market mechanisms, the Lima Work Programme on Gender, and the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform—where procedural rights and safeguards for environmental defenders should be strengthened. It further suggests using the transparency framework's interactive dialogues to review how public participation improves national climate ambition.

The document serves as a learning tool for non-specialist pension fund trustees in East Africa to navigate the complexities of private equity (PE) as an alternative asset class. It details the distinctions between PE, private debt, and PIPE transactions, while outlining the specific roles of General Partners (GPs) and Limited Partners (LPs). The guide explains the 'J-curve' effect of cash flows, the structure of Limited Partnership Agreements (LPAs), and the mechanics of management fees and carried interest. It also provides frameworks for risk mitigation, such as the use of Limited Partner Advisory Committees (LPACs) and key person insurance, and defines industry-standard performance metrics like Internal Rate of Return (IRR).

Forty-seven civil society organisations have urged the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to align its operations with the Paris Agreement by ending investments in fossil fuels and prioritizing renewable energy and energy access for poor communities.

The German green bond market reached a cumulative emission volume of 33.6 billion EUR by May 2019, ranking fourth globally. The market is dominated by financial institutions and development banks, with clean energy and low-carbon buildings as the primary sectors for funding. The report highlights a high rate of external verification and reporting, while noting significant potential for growth among fully climate-aligned companies, particularly in the transport sector via Deutsche Bahn.

As of May 2019, Germany's cumulative green bond issuance reached EUR33.6bn, with clean energy and low-carbon buildings as the primary sectors for proceeds. The market is dominated by financial corporates and development banks, notably KfW, with a high prevalence of external reviews and post-issuance reporting. While sovereign green bonds have not yet been issued, the German government is exploring this possibility for 2020. The report also identifies a significant opportunity for growth among climate-aligned issuers, particularly in the transport sector via Deutsche Bahn.

The document details the environmental failures of ArcelorMittal South Africa Ltd (AMSA) at its Vanderbijlpark facility, citing extensive air and water pollution, groundwater contamination, and a lack of transparency regarding climate risks. It highlights AMSA's status as one of South Africa's top 10 greenhouse gas emitters and its resistance to carbon taxes and air quality standards.

The author argues that Poland and Ukraine's dependence on Russian gas and oil creates significant security vulnerabilities, which Russia exploits for political pressure. While Poland is investing in infrastructure like the Świnoujście LNG terminal and Baltic Pipe to end gas imports by 2022, Ukraine remains more vulnerable due to limited financial and regulatory capacity. The document posits that long-term resilience against 'hybrid war' requires a shift from centralized energy systems to distributed networks based on renewables and improved energy efficiency, particularly in the housing sector.